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Council approves amendment to consolidated plan to allocate HOME and CDBG funding for affordable housing and rental assistance
Summary
Tulare City Council approved a substantial amendment to its 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025 action plan to allocate HOME and reallocate CDBG funds, including a current‑year HOME appropriation of $500,000 (multifamily project set‑aside, tenant assistance, CHDO set‑aside, and admin). Council discussed potential pilot programs and directed staff to include related housing topics in an upcoming workshop.
At its Dec. 2 meeting the Tulare City Council adopted a substantial amendment to the city’s 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and the fiscal‑year 2025 action plan to update the city’s use of federal HOME and CDBG funds.
Alexis Castales, housing and grants manager, told the council the amendment would reallocate existing CDBG funding to local street and housing rehabilitation projects and would apply HOME funds toward multifamily rental development, tenant‑based rental assistance and program administration. "Total anticipated HOME funds that the city will receive from HUD and have the opportunity to appropriate annually is about $1,940,000," Castales said. For the current fiscal year staff proposed obligating $500,000 of HOME funds including a $275,000 set‑aside for a multifamily rental activity, $100,000 for tenant‑based rental assistance, $75,000 of CHDO set‑aside and $50,000 for eligible administration.
Council members probed how flexible the HOME allocation could be and whether modest study funds could be used to explore a renter‑equity or down‑payment‑match pilot tied to developments such as Santa Fe Commons. Staff clarified that the amendment establishes the plan and budget framework but does not automatically grant a contract or direct payment to any single entity; specific projects would return for future commitment and appropriation. Staff said administrative or study dollars could be used in limited ways but that most HOME dollars are intended for site acquisition or development costs and that HUD rules would guide allowable uses.
Council approved the amendment by motion and second, with council discussion noting interest in further workshops and targeted investigations of renter‑equity pilot approaches.
What this means: The amendment authorizes staff to pursue and obligate HOME and CDBG funds consistent with the updated plan; specific grants or contracts will require separate project approvals and, where required, HUD confirmation of allowable uses.
